South Wales Echo

THF ALLEGED CONSPIRACY TO MURDER A CHILD. Prisoners Committed for Trial. Thomas Long, aged 42, painter, W, Jones (28), jobmaster, both of Brixton, and Geo. Walker (27), land agent, Camberwell, again appeared to-day be- fore Mr Chance, at Lombeth pclice-court, charged with conspiring to murder an illegitimate female child, of which Jones is said to bo the father. Madeline Gay, a married woman, living at Tottenham, said her husband left England two years ago, and returned last June. She became acquainted with Jones six months after her husband had left, and the acquaintance- ship continued all the time her husband Was away. In April she discovered she Was in the family way by Jones. Many letters PaSSed between them. The one produced was received from Jones after she told him her condi- tion. In it he said, I hope by this time you are out of your trouble. At all events, I will bring some stuff for you.' Her husband on returning to England, discovered her condition. She wrote to Jones saying he. was awfully mad, but she believed for her sake the matter would be arranged if he would see her husband. The latter vowel the child should not stay in his house. Accord- ingly Jones met her husband with reference to its being taken away after birth, and given for adoption to some person. There was some delay in the arrangement, and she wrote urging Jones to be expeditious. The child was born on the 9th December, and taken away on the 11th. ^ross-examined She said she knew nothing the prisoner Walker. She never had any ^ion or notion that the child was to bp k2»»y»y. T ,et witness proved several letters to be in Jones a handwritin^ Waterworks'6 produced a plan of Lewisham Detectiv3' J"8.1Moore deposed to finding several letter.» Jo* Another co a letter from Mrs Gay -yulR, « The child is born alive, and must be tetno;'ed at once. This closed the case for the prosecution. Long reserved his defence. Mr Washington (for Walker) subnaitted that 'here was no evidence against nun. jia(^ always believed the child was to be adopts by a Woman for a money payment. Mr Montagu Williams' (for Jones) maintained ^hat no jury would convict, and asked for dis- charge. A witness recalled said he had heard Walker I fell Jones he had found a woman to take the A barmaid out of a situation said Walker "acl spoken to her about taking a child until a womjvn could be found to adept it. She agreed to taeet^ jjim 011 December 11th, but failed to see mm. f The Mother of the last witness corroborated. i t The "lagistrate said he must commit prisoners or trial, though he was not sure that the evidence ould satisfy the jury, and bail was accepted.

sh n. unUSU^l. incident occurred at the pigeon • ma held on Tuesday at Monte Carlo. Cah sWOoPe<l down from the mountain and 4; tried off C'*f f.ho wounded birds, 1.

The Penistone Collision. LATEST DETAILS. — „ „t- the Sheffield In- Oaeuquiry this morninS worgt injured in firmary and at the. homes °Cident, we learn that the Penistone railway lc favotirably as can be they are the seiious nature of their expected, cona en^^ compound fracture injuries, i ra l a feverish night, and George of both egs, p A|]er,5 aprj Win, Harrison are emp e on, danger_ The accident caused quite not yet out a sensation m Sheffield. The jIJquest on those killed in the rauway acci- dent near Barnsley Junction yesterday will be opened to-day by Mr Taylor, coroner for the district, at Penistone, where the bodies of the de- ceased are lying. The evidence taken will prin- cipally be formal, to allow of the removal of the bodies after identification. An adjournment for scientific evidence is expected. Mary Walker, the most seriously injured passenger, now lying at the Wentworth Arms, Penistone, is still alive, but her condition is most precarious. All the injured passengers at Sheffield, thirty- eight in number, are progressing fairly well this morning. At Sheffield Infirmary the most serious sufferer is Mr Harrison, manufacturer, whose leg was amputated yesterday. He is in a critical con- dition. George Templeton, razor grinder, is also in a dangerous condition. Joseph Walker, the only sufferer remaining at Penistone, had his thigh set to-day, and is rather easier, but still in danger. A Government inspector is expected to-day. A Board of Trade enquiry into the cause of yesterday's accident has been fixed to take place to-morrow at Penistone, before Major Marindin. Mr W. E. Bennett, manager for Messrs Wheatley Bros., table knife manufacturers, gave a vivid description of the accident. He was going to Liverpool to see a friend recently returned from America, and says when nearinsr Penistone the train began to oscillate as though the brake was being applied. The whole of the occupants of his compartment jumped up in alarm, then he heard a loud shriek in the compartment behind, and the train having now slackenedl speed he leapt out, and found that the front of the carriage from which the screams proceeded had been forced into the back of another carriage, holding several ladies as in a vice against the side of the compartment. A young man in the same com- partment was terribly crushed, and had his leg broken. For a long time it was impossible to liberate the- and many other passengers were jammed amongst the wrecked carriages, and their screams and moans were pitiful. Albert Oates, a furnaceman, of Sheffield, was brought down by the two o'clock train with his face and head tear- fully cut, and Job Williams, steel warehouseman, was assisted out of the same train, having his shoulder dislocated and being seriously bruised. There were several very narrow escapes. One party going from Sheffield to Liverpool got into the latter part of the train, and were told at Sheffield that they had got into the wrong por- tion. They then entered a carriage in the middle of the tiain, and had hardly got seated when they were removed again, and told to go nearer the engine. The carriage they quitted was one of the worst crushed in the accident. MrsBroomhead,the wife of the sub-librarian at the Sheffield Central Library, was in the train with her brother-in-law, who had a miraculous escape. Hearing the crash he involuntarily bent down his head, and just at that moment a great piece of timber smashed through the compartment at the exact spot where his head had been. In the compartment in front of him a man was killed. One of the passengers, a young man, was found with one leg broken, his nose crushed, and one arm badly hurt, and when the volunteers went to assist him he said, I shall be all right in a minute." The passengers killed -Tom Wood, a grinder, of Sheffield, and Albert Holliley, son of a cattle drover in Sheffield-are at the Wentworth Arms, Penistone, and Thos. Elliott, another passenger, was also sent there in a critical condition. Mrs Hill, a lady living at Hillsborough, sustained a compound fracture of both' legs, but she insisted on being taken home, though the medical staff at the infirmary tried to induce her to remain at the institution. During the whole of the afternoon people crowded the Victoria Station on the look out for their friends, and the last of the injured were not brought in till about four o'clock. Long before this time, however, the lines had been cleared at Barnsley Junction, and the traffic so thoroughly resumed that large numbers of people went down from Sheffield to the scene of the accident. It was then seen that the fifth, sixth and seventh carriages of the excursion train had borne the brunt of the collision. These carriages were removed to Penistone Station, and covered with tarpaulin to await inspection. The axle of the coal-wagon, the breakage of which caused the accident, is about four inches in diameter, and in the opinion of an expert present is made of iron, and "Perfectly crystallised with age." NAMES OF THE INJURED. xueir names are as tollow • George Hollebv, father 'of Albert Holleby, Thomas Elliott, leg broken and head cut. cuts on the head. Thomas Elliott, leg broken and head cut. Albert Lates, furnaceman, head cut and ankle injured. Sarah Allen, leg broken. Mary Hill, fracture of both legs. Wm. Harrison, manufacturing wood turner, compound fracture of both legs. Enoch Knapton, fractured shoulder. Lucy Ann Bradley, leg broken. Bertha Holleby, wife of Albert HoUeby, severely shaken. Fanny Flemings, shock. Allen S. Wood, butcher, slight injury to head. George Wild, dislocated shoulder. Samuel Turton, leg injured. Mrs Warren, injury to mouth. C. S. Abrahams, leg injured. All the injured belonged to Sheffield. Both lines were cleared at one o'clock. Being a general holiday, the accident cast quite a gloom over Sheffield and its festivities. Amongst the incidents may be mentioned that a man named Templeton, who is badly hurt, said, as the train was approaching Penistone, to his son, "We are nearing Penistone; when we get to the other side of the station I will show you where the disaster occurred last summer. Hardly had he finished speaking than the accident happened, and Templeton was almost immediately after rendered un- conscious. Some of the uninjured passengers proceeded on their journey, but a considerable portion of them returned to Sheffield, where they demanded the repayment of their fares and clamoured loudly for their money at the booking- office. Up to late on Thursday night all the injured were progressing favourably, with the exception of two men who are still lying at Penis- stone. Information of the accident has been com- municated to the Board of Trade, and it is expected that an official inquiry will be made into the breaking of the axle. Singular to say, another axle broke upon the Manchester, Shef- field, and Lincolnshire Railway, not far from Penistone, only a few days before. In the pre- sent instance it is said the axle broke off like a carrot. ANOTHER DEATH A later telegram mentions that another aeasn has occurred, viz., that of Thomas Elliot, of Lowe-street, Sheffield, who succumbed after one of his legs had been amputated by three surgeons. Another man, Mr William Harrison, had a. leg OlInPutated, and the other is badly hurt. His recovery is doubtful.

SHIPWRECKS AND LOSS OF LIFE. A Lloyd's telegram from Baltimore to-day says:—The Norwegian barque Lena, from Brazil for Philadelphia, has been totally lost at lfog Island, Virginia. Part of the crew were saved. A Lloyd's San Francisco telegram says :-The Fili, German barque, was totally lost at Point Gords on December 26th. The first officer and four of the crew were drowned.

STRIKE AT THE GATE8HEAD RAILWAY WORKS. I 2,000 Men Idle. I I [SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] I The workmen employed at the railway works on the Eastern Railway Company at Gateshead- on-Lyne came out on strike this morning to the number of 2,000 against an attempt to impose longer hours, which is regarded as an infringe- ment of the nine hours' system, and an alteration of rates for overtime.

TERRIBLE QUARRY ACCIDENT. I Thomas Williams, quarryman, Llan- trissant, has met with his fate in a terrible manner. He was at New Mill Quarry charging a hole with dynamite when the material exploded. It blew clean out the poor fellow's eye,, injured his right hand and jaw, and of course killed him. Deceased leaves a wife and six children.

I THE UXBRIDGE MURDER. Commutation of the Death Sentence. The sentence on Elizabeth Gibbons for the murder of her husband, near Hayes, has been commuted to penal servitude for life.

I AN ABSCONDING BANKRUPT. In the Bradford bankruptcy court to-day it was stated that Isaac Northrop, manufacturer, had aD.-eonded with a large sum belonging to his «ieditors, and sailed for America. An application and sailed for Americ: An application for a warrant for his arrest is inended.

I PARRY'S NEBUCHADNEZZAR." I j First Performance at Swansea. V ,rst public performance in Swansea of Dr est dramatic cantata was given m the A ert*hall on Thursday evening before a large T<^Ce' cantata depicts the lite scenes of ,n? °f Babylon. In the prologue the nar- rator describes the besieging of Jerusalem by H a ok i ^nezzar his troublous dreatn, which the Chaldelns fail to interpret, making the king 0"' tunoUR the success of Daniel's interpretation and llil elevation to power the setting up of an and 1 on Flains of Dura by the king, command to the people to come to its aed,catlon. The prologue is treated by the com- II-VIR T a canti!ena> allowing a fully developed nf\-Trw--i0rc:'lestra^ accompaniments, with phrases 'tena for the voice, thus avoiding mono- tonous effect. There is introduced as an accompanist to the words relating to Daniel's rlariono^1 melody bY violins, oboe, and ir i ,• Then follows "The Dedication cians, tslieceejed by the chorus of magi- king, live for ever," in which the tha? oilns recite in chorus the king's command o-oldpn i!?en sk°ukl fall down and worship the hplievpr!*la^e'. Then is heard the chorus of the decree f°r protection from the king's rrnHiirv,- xt» t^e chorus of the king's guards second the might of their ruler, and a Hebrew K°^s magicians followed by one by dedication iehveF,s- ,The Babylonians come to the of Nebur} J 'leraJ(1 proclaiming the command the that a" Pe°Ple should WTlV<J Hebrews A f °fllowin^,that 18 a prayer of the a chorus of-ij ? e» threetrumpets,.introducing flip B-OIHPW ."ylonians who fall down and worship that fall not^&t' PrcclaiminS W,°e *?. ti?er" _f tup u: • The magicians draw the attention A/fpshach the disobedience of Shadrach, 1 npsrione'd K Abcdneno, who, on being qT serve h^y the kin^ reply That they will And these H Sods-" The narrator recites, v „;r,o- furna *'1? nien are bound and cast into a t>Uk lnriinns fcf' After an exultation chorus of Babylonians, is the chorus of guardian angels, will watch and protect," and the lang s eXclamation" Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? Lo, I see four men walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no r ..■'■hen is heard the king bidding them PJ'P0 t0i'th, and come hither," and the chorus o PWJ})!e, «• jj0) they come safe." The king cries totiie Qod pf ghadrach, Meshach, and Abednego °rgiveness. The people, in chorus, echo his ttivis ending the first part of the cantata. In the second part the king "gain dreams, and is afraid. He appeals to the magicians for its interpeta- tion, and ahid again interprets the dream. Al«s' • thou art to be driven frommen> a,nd thy ling shall be among the beasts of the questions, "Is not this great Babyl°n J have built by the might of P° „f ,°^ honour of my majesty?" Chorus °ices: "O, King Nebuchadnezzar, the kingdoni IS departed from thee." Then fol- lows a met between a daughter of Babylon and Datlel, Uaniel interceding, and the people, in cliorus, cry to the God of Daniel. The king) restored to reason, cries to the people to join in praise to the Great God, and this brings the cantata to a conclusion. The orrriance was a most decided success. The conducted by Dr Parry, was one of the strongest which has assembled in the Albert Hall f0 time, and sang with precision and effect, wniiso the orchestra, led by Mr Woodward, was also a strong and most efficient one. Miss Marian laHs sang the soprano solos with much tee g, particularly in the prologue, which was much alJplauded Mr Hirwin Jones salig well in the teiior solos, and Mr Sauvage was in excellent voice. At the conclusion of the cantata the large audience demanded the re- appearance or Dr Parry, the plaudits being long contInued. In the second part of the concert, Mr Haydn Parry played a pianoforte solo, accompanJed by the orchestra, which elicited much applause* Perhaps the greatest success in the miscellaneous Part of the concert was the rendering by ^iss Marian Williams of Handel's •'Let the Brig .Seraphim," which was encored. The united cnoir gave, for the first time, a new centenary chorus, composed by Dr Parry for the jubilee of Sunday fechools in Wales. The concert was the most successful of the present season.

RHONDDA VALLEY CHAMBER OF TRADE. On Thursday everung the quarterly meeting of the above council ■iVasj jje;d a(. f|i0 ivor jfall Hotel, Llynypia, under the presldenCy of Mr G. Herbert, Penygraig. A large number of representa- tives from different parts of the valley were present. A communication was read from the Postmaster- General, in reply to a letter from the secretary of the chamber, sanctioning the establishment of a wall letter box at the Assembly-hall, Ferndale. —In consequence of a satisfactory reply not having been received from the directors of the gas company, numerous petitions were submitted to the mee mg, containing the name of hundreds of consumers, all of whom, it was alleged, were determined to discontinue the use of gas unless a reduction were made. In consequence of the ireherbert district not having been communicated with in time, Mr Lowrie proposed that as the canvassing of all the districts had not oeen completed, the consideration of the reports snould adjourned, and this was agreed to.—Mi • Lloyd, Ferndale, proposed that the chamber "ally fix the 15th of January as the date for the discontinuance of the use of gas. — Mr lj- Evans seconded the motion, which T\r"S carried. It was also agreed to that H. Davies should represent them at the ireherbert Chamber of Trade. — Mr J- 'z'JXzn, Treorky, intimated that should they to a decision to discontinue the use of gas, the consumers, after turning it off, should act unanimously in declining to resume its use unless the company compensated them for the expense mcurred in buying lamps.

THE LLAN0VER ESTATES. Mr R* C. lIall, the younger brother of the late Lord filaiiover died at Weymouth a few days ago. JVlr lIall became heir to the great Llano ver estates in Monmouthshire on the death of nis fcrotliers only soii, an event which occurred a few weep before the young man would have at- tained his majority, when, of course, the entail would hiive been cut off. Lord Llanover became feverishly anxious to have the property at his own disposal, in order that he might leave it to his wife for life, and on her de4th to his daughter, Mrs Herbert, of Llanarth, and, after a lengthened negotiation, Mr Hall and his son agreed to sell their reversionary interest and obtained a. large sum down, with considerable annuities for their respective lives, and a settlement of £ 40,000 to be paid to their re; sntatives after'Lady Llan- o\ t>t\ 'iaath.—.Tr-rtS.'c,

MONEY MARKET. I Latest Prices To-day. I LONDON, 2 p.m. There is not much inquiry for money to-day, and short loans are quoted at 3i to 4 per cent. Discount is quiet but steady at 4k for the best 4 paper. Special allotments in bills on Madras at Is 7gd transfers on Bombay, Is 7 3-16d. The Indian exchanges are firmer at Is 7 l-16d to Is 7.1d. Business is very limited on the Stock Exchange, and prices remain without material change. Consols are a shade easier, at 99k for the account New and Reduced, 99|; New 2 per I 4 2 Cent., 91 to 911. In Foreign Bends Egyptians are rather firmer; Preference, 872 to 8n; Unified, 63 to 63i 2 4 4 Russian 1873's have improved to 95g to 95; 8 Mexican Bonds unchanged; Uruguays, Sli to 53 ex div. 4 Home Railways continue inactive. North Easterns, however, are firmer, 156 to 1561-; 4 Brighton Deferred, 104g to 104-1 Chatham Preference, 97g to 98 North Western, 164 to 164 North British, 97 to 97 £ Caledonians, 97j to 97g.; Hull and Barnsley, 3| to 3g Eastern, about 68. American Rails mark a further rise in York Centrals, at 88ii to 89;}; Illinois, art 121 to 121s > 4 4 and Reading General, at 701 to 7I5. Reading ii 2 Shares are firm, at 9 to 9; Ontario, 12 to 12i 2 2 4 Louisvilles, 26 to 26g Milwaukee, 73 to 74. Mexican Rails are firmer. Ordinary about 34 First Preference, 8CJ to 90 Seconds, 485 to 49. -Suez Canals are quoted 71 L, 71 j. ex div. Hud- son's Bays unchanged. Telegraphs quiet. Rio Tinto Mines firm, at 12 to 12f. Brighton Railway yesterday's pas i,,z,?r traffic, £ 44 2 decrease.

TO-DAY'S MARKETS. I CORN. GLASGOW, Friday.-The market assumed quite a holiday aspect to-day, the business being unimproved. Wheat and flour maintained the prices of Wednesday, while barley, oats, and beans were, if anything steadier. Corn was ea ier, and sold for delivery to- morrow at B 14 per 2801 bs. -.LIVERPOOL, Friday.—Wheat— moderate trade at Id over Tuesday's rates. Australian, 7s 4d to 7s 6d Ore- gon, 7s 8d to 3s 4d Californian, 7s 2d to 7s 5d red winter (No. 2) 7s Id to 7s 4d. Bombay, 7s Id to 7s 2d. Flour, fair trade at extreme rates, occasionally 6d to Is advance Hcans, peas, and oats un- changed. Maize, moderate trade. New mixed American, 5s Id old, 5s 2Ad to bs 3d. Weather severe. LONDON, Friday.—Wheat very fair. English and American realize extreme values. Foreign corn held for 6d to Is advance. Flour fair. Barley quiet. Oats, 3d dearer. Maize, beans, and peas tending dearer. Arrivals British wheat. 480 qrs; barley, 2,950 qrs. Foreign wheat, 8,760 qrs.; barley, 4,820 qrs; oats, 58,560 qrs; maize, 3,940 qrs flour, 20,010 sacks 520 barrels. WAKEFIELD, Friday.—The decrease in the stocks o wheat at ports, and dearer advices from abroad, strengthen the trade, and considerable business has been (lone since our last market at advancing prices. Engiish wheat is firm, and fully 2s per qr dearer. Foreign Is to 2s advance. Barley held firmly at the full prices of this day fortnight. Alaize, on the spot, about Is per qr lower. Beans rather easier. Oats 6d per qr dearer. BUTTER. CORK, Friday. Seconds, 132s thirds, 86s; fourths, 53s. Kegs—Thirds, 80s. Mild cured firkins— mild 115s. Mild cured kegs—mild, 112s. In market 104 firkins, 15 kegs. POTATOES. LONDON, Friday.—Good supplies, and trade slow at the annexed rates :—Regents. 60s to 80s Victorias, 60s to 70s; Magnums, 55s to 65s Champions, 55s to 65s per ton. PROVISIONS. LONDON, Friday.—Butter—Foreign kinds meet with a moderate sale at about previous value. Kiel and Damsh quotated 116s to 144 Friesland, 112s to 122s Normandy. 116s to 1.34s: American and Irish very quiet. Bacon—generally steady, moderate to small sized Irish quoted 55s to 63s. Hams remain quiet. Lard inactive. Cheese without alteration.

TO-DAY'S SHIPPING. I Lloyds' Casualty Telegrams. I The Norwegian barque Vesta, from Philadelphia for Dunkerque, with a cargo of paraffin, and the German barquentine Asia, from Corento for Goole, with a cargo of logwood, collided off Start Point on Thursday even- ing. The Vesta was very badiy damaged, her port bow being cut down to the water's edge, and a portion of her cargo was damaged. The Asia lost her jibboom and headgear, Both vessels will be towed to Dart- mouth. The British steamer Hatfield, from Middlesborough for Madras, is aground near West Hartlepool. A an Francisco cablegram states that the German barque Lili was totally lost at Point Gordo on Decem- ber 26th. The first officer and four of the crew were drowned. CARDIFF-ARRIVALS.. I ROATH BASJX-Jan. 1. City of Rotterdam ss, 379, Belfasc, light EAST BUTE DOCK—Jan. 1. Moss Brow ss, 1131, London. ligut Garfield, 705, Arendal, wood goods Bilbao ss, 753, Bilbao, iron 01 e Andrea Vasrliano ss. 884, Bremerhaven. light estos SS, 784. London, hht Zelica, 298, West Dock, oats EAST BVTE DOcK-Jan. 2. Ungdoms Venner, 534, Hamburg, ballast John Hougvaldstad, 1062, Bremen, ballast Ameer, 770, Hamburg, halla-t £ ayard, 1319, Dunkerque, ballast Barbara Prave. 710, Dankerque, ballast Allende ss, 1069, Bilbao, iron ore j Pacific, 606, Rouen, ballast J'yndclifre ss, 466, Rouen, light Hindostan, 1262, Dry Dock, light WEST BUTE DOcK-Jan. 1. £ j°rden, 262, Bordeaux, pitwood Henri Leontine, 136, Hennebont, pitwood ^-eur de Marie, 131, Vannes, pitwood ,v Miste, 287, Arcachon, pitwood Ravinola, 80, Southampton, pitwood WEST BUTE DocK-Jan. 2. Germana, Antonio, 371. Havre, ballast Galtee ss, 298, Rouen, light Robert & Hannah, 45, fSt Brieux, potatoes Hotspur, 3C;2, Corunna. g"'ieral cargo Gerhard Erdwin, 218, Brake, ballast Alexandre II, 106, Auray, pitwood St Joseph, 65, Penzance, stones Wappy-cro-Lucky, 39, Canal, light PENARTII DOCK—Dec. 31. Trebiskin, 60, Stilly, ballast Ark, 65, Bridgwater, light Druid, 49, Bridgwater, light Electric, 88, Bristol, light PJ.NARTH DOCK—Jan. 1. Model, 57, Bideford, light Eliza, 33, Cardiff, light Enterprise ss, 70, Bristol, light John ss, 103, Bristol, light

NEWPORT SCHOOL BOARD. i Decision to Give Prizes this Year. I A monthly meeting of the members of this board was held at the offices, Newport, to-day, Mr A. J. Stevens, vice-chairman, presiding. There were also present Messrs D. Edwards, E. ¡ Thomas, S. Batchelor, M. Wheeler, J. W. Bebell. The Chairman mentioned that the corporation proposed that the board should take offices at the new town-hall, consisting of board room, waiting-room, and clerk's room, at J350 per annum.—Mr Edwards said that no un- dertaking was made by the preceding board to accept the offices intended to be built, but pro- posed,astheboard were obliged to leave the present premises, that the offices be accepted temporarily, and on a six months' notice. Mr Thomas seconded the motion.—The Chairman thought a temporary arrangement would be wise, as the new board-room was manifestly too small. There might be space enough for the members, but the reporters would be much inconvenienced, if not pressed out altogether. (A laugh.)—The resolu- tion was carried, and the clerk was directed to write to the corporation asking whether they would accept the board as tenants under these conditions. The Taunton scheme was referred to in the minutes of the management .committee for November last, and Mr Edwards proposed that one of the chief recommendations in the scheme —namely, the giving of prizes and certificates, should be resumed bv the board. Up to the present year prizes had been given. — The Chairman remarked that his experience in school work showed that to get the greatest value from such reward they should be made qualifying not competitive. Industrious children always would gain certain prizes whereas idle children, knowing that they could never attain to the number of marks or of attend- ances gained by the former class, would have no inducement to make up their attendances. Mr Wheeler said that the qualifying element was provided for by the distribution of certificates. There had been a loss of 1 per cent. this year on the attendances, and this meant 28 in Govern- ment grant—a sum which would so far make up the J640 or so which was usually expended.— Mr Batchelor seconded the motion, and it was agreed to. There was no other business of importance.

TO-DAY'S POLICE. I CARDIFF. SMUGGLING.—At the police-court to-day, before Mr R. O. Jones and Alderman Jones, Robert Thompson, chief engineer of the ss. Knight of St. Patrick, was charged with smuggling a quantity of spirits and cigars the single value of which was JB1 7s Od. As he did not appear, he was fined 24 Is and costs. Andrews Jawnitson, a Norwegian, belonging to the Norwegian barque Swantro, was charged with smuggling a quantity of cigars, the single value of which was ISs. Tiis defendant was the mate of the vessel, and the cigars were found concealed under the defendant's clothes in his chest. He was ordered to pay the single value and costs, I 5s lOd.—Andrea P. Barrman, the master of the Norwegian ship Griffin, was charged on a remand with smuggling 7* lbs. of tobacco. Mr Downing now appeared for the captain. The tobacco was found by tho custom-house officers in a cupboord, but at the back, and apparently concealed by a number of articles placed in front of it. The rummage had been made on the 29th, and a second rummage on the same day led to the discovery of the tobacco. This was after the defendant had denied that he had any more t-o bacco than that produced. Mr Downing called some witnesses to prove that the captain was un- aware that the tobacco was concealed, and the bench, after hearing the evidence of these wit- nesses, dismissed the case, it being apparent that no attempt at smuggling had been made by the defendant. BROTHEL ROBBERY.—Rachel Brewer (23), a young woman of bad character, was charged with stealing a purse containing £ 1 10s from Peter Abrahamson, a ship's carpenter, on the 31st ult. Complainant met the prisoner in Bute-street, and went with her to a brothel in Homfray-street. He went uIHtjrs, then went down, leaving the prisoner up in the bedroom. When he returned prisoner leit, and on searching his trousdrs-pockp-t he missed his purse and money. As neither purse nor money had been found the prisoner was discharged. ALLEGED LICENSING OFFENCE.—J. Dunn, land- lord of the Bute Dock Hotel, was summonsed for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises on the 11th ult. Mr H. Morgan Rees prosecuted, and Mr Vachell defended, The case arose out of a previous one, heard on the 19th ult., when a man named Morris charged a man named George vr;th assaulting him, andttie evidence went to show that the defendant and complainant were drunk, and also that th" fight took place near the Bute Dock Hotel, where they had been drinking for hours. It was also stated that. the first blow was struck in the bar of the hotel. The witnesses called for the prostitution swore that the parties were half drunk, but knew what they were doing. The case was dismissed. ANOTHER BROTHEL POBBFRY.-Ellen Riley, a young woman of bad character, was charged with stealing £5 from Alex. Young, at 17, Homfray- street, on the 29th ult. Complainant met prisoner at a public-house, and went with her to a house in Homfray-street. Here a row took place, and the police came and turned them all out. Complainant had at that time concealed his money in his stockings. When turned out he had his money all right but he went with the prisoner to another house in the same street, and on the following morning he found that his money had been taken and the purse left. The prisoner was apprehended on the following day by Chief Inspector Price. She denied the robbery, but on looking in her bands he found there R5 in gold, besides some silver, in her purse. Prisoner still denied that she took the complainant's purse, but the bench committed her for trial at the quarter sessions.—The Head Constable said that this was the fourth robbery committed in these houses during the past week. They were all brothels, but the difficulty was in finding out who kept them. When questioned all denied that they were the parties. VIOLENT ASSAULT BY A WOMAN.—Margaret Shea (26),.a young woman of bad character, was charged with violently assaulting an old man named Daniel Murray, in June last. Inspector Lewis said that the assault was a very serious one. The defendant and another young woman, who lives in Halkett-street, attacked the old man, and beat him severely. The defendant then left the town, and was only apprehended on Thurs- day night. As the complainant was then at work at the Docks, and knew nothing of the arrest of the defendant, the case was remanded till to-morrow. CHARGE OF PERMITTING DRUNKENNESS.—Wm. Bennington Smith, the landlord of the Lord Palmerston, Bridge-street, was charged by the police with permitting drunkenness. Mr H. Morgan Rees appeared for the police, and Mr Belcher for the defendant. Inspector Tamblyn said that he visited the house on the 2bth ult., about 3 o'clock in the evening. He saw in the back bar two man, one named George Lewis of of Ebbw Vale, drunk and with his face much cut and bruised. There was another man also drunk named Donovan. He went upstairs, and the confusion in the club room—tables and chairs upset—indicated that a fight had taken place in tbe room. Another was there drunk, and his face also much bruised. The defence was that no drink was supplied to them, and the tight was begun by Lewis. The defendant as soon as he was aware of the state of affairs, endeavoured to get them out of the house, and had sent for the police for the purpose of clearing them out. The bench dismissed the case. ASSAULT.—Michael Linahan (29) was fined 20s and costs for assaulting his mother, Mary Lina- han, in Halkett-street on the 15th November last. CUTTING AND WOUNDING.—Henry Haines, a labourer, of Canton, who was remanded on Wednesday on the charge of cutting and wound- ing his wife, was now dismissed, the wife alleging t that the wound was not caused, as was said, by her husband. NEWPORT. HOLIDAY DRUNKENNESS.—The only business dealt with at the borough police-court to-day (Mr H. Phillips presiding) consisted of five cases of drunkenness, in all of which fines of 5. were imposed. One man named William Thomas had been following the waits on New Year's morning, and amused himself by kicking at doors of houses as he went along. P.C. Bristowe, a newly- made officer, confronted defendant, but he told him he didn't care for a young hand like him. Another case was against Annie Roberts, of res- pectable parentage, who has been in the Females' Home for some time, but who has relapsed again into vicious habits. A man named Charles Ball was endeavouring, as he alleged, to take her home. Police-constable Carter, one of the oldest officers in the force, described both as making a disgraceful exhibition of them- selves. He had heard a good deal of bad language, but the woman's exceeded the worst. At the close of the cases, which occupied only 15 minutes, Mr Phillips remarked that such a short list was very good for Christmas time.—Supt. Sinclair: There are five cases of drunkenness.— The Magistrates' Clerk On Monday the bench sat until nearly three o'clock in the afternoon, a period of four hours.

THE PRIZE FIGHT NEAR HERTFORD. The men who were arrested at the intercepted prize fight near Broxburne, Herts, yesterday, were this morning brought up at Cheshunt police- court before Mr N. Evans. William Good, fish porter, of Crescent-place, Hackney-road, one of the principals, stood his ground when the police broke into the ring, and was arrested on the spot with four others. Several were arrested subse- quently, but Parry, the other principal, after- wards managed to escape. The prisoners brought up to-day were William Good, Maurice Murphy, provision dealer, Leather-lane William Allen, fish curer, Lisle-street, Shoreditch Richard Swift, fruiterer, Liverpool-road, Islington and James Good, dog doctor, Wardour-street. They were remanded on bail until the 14tli inst. The articles left on the ground were taken possession of by the police.

WRETCHED DEATH OF A WITCH. The "Witch of Okehampton has died in a wretched hovel in the town from cold and exposure, atthe^ge of seventy five. Her correct name was Hatch, and the title given her seems to have been due to her somewhat wild appear- ance and the condition in which she lived. Her bed was a straw mattress, which rested op the floor; her bedclothes this winter consisted of a single sheet, and the one room which formed her home was almost destitute of furniture, and described at the inquest as a wretched hovel. The body was greatly emaciated. For the place in which she lived she paid Is a week, so that only 2s were left for her maintenance out of the 3s a week which the guardians allowed her. The weather being cold, it. was suggested on the day before her death that she should have a fire; but the old woman remarked that if she lighted one tbers would be none for the morrow. When the mor- row came she was dead. A verdict'öi'!fDea.th from cold and exposure was returned,^

SPORTING ITEMS. There are some half-dozen horses at present located at New Barns, Manchester, and they will probably remain there until next week. We hear that it is more likely that Lord Dur- ham's horses trained at Beverley will shortly join A. Sadler's stable at Newmarket. It has been decided to hold the Doncaster Hunt Meeting on Thursday and Friday, the 5th and 6th of February, instead of the 12th and 13th, as previously announced. Roberts and North concluded; their billiard match on Wednesday night, and the disadvan- tages under which he met his opponent proved too much for the champion, who was defeated by 416. Enoch and J. Watts, trainer and jockey respec- tively to the Earl of Zetland, are at present pay- ing a visit to his lordship at Aske Hall, where they are enjoying capital sport after the Aske foxhounds. The Anchor steamer, which has left Glasgow for New York, carries out one hundred thousand Loch Leven trout ova, which are intended to be sent out to Michigan, to be hatched for introduction into the Great Lakes. At the seven meetings at Newmarket during the past season 1,273 runners faced the starter in 208 races (exclusive of matches), an average of a little over six for each event. There were 20 days' racing at head-quarters during the year. The Blackmoor Vale Hounds had an extraor- dinary run on Tuesday, when, having found at Hadspen, near Castle Cary, they had a brilliant spin to North Woctton, near Glastonbury. The run lasted four hours, and at times the pace was very fast. The line of country, we may add, is about as stiff a one as it is possible to find anywhere. It is stated that Sir Thomas Boughry intends to give up the mastership of the Albrignton Hunt at the close of the season. The Haydock Park Company have fixed a one- day meeting for Saturday, January 10, when the programme will consist of eight eight-dog stakes, four for puppies and four for all ages. Mr Hedley will judge, and Tom Wilkinson slip. Mr Hedworth, who is a very popular supporter of north-country racing, has sustained a loss in the somewhat sudden death of Darlington. This son of Glendale and Datura took part as a two- year-old in seven races, and all his efforts were unsuccessful except when he was credited with the Barnbougle Nursery at Edinburgh. Last year his average was pretty much the same, his record being two wins and twelve loses. At the York Spring Meeting he carried off the Consolation Scramble, and at Stockton secured the Twenty-seventh Biennial on the first day, besides ^dividing Pizarro and Beauchamp in the Great Northern Leger on the second. A team of French football players, members of the Paris F.C., arrived in England yesterday. They are to play several matches under Rugby rules. The Parisians' tour is to open at Hendon to-morrow with a match against the Old Mill- hillians, and the other fixtures are against the Civil Service on Monday next, at Herne Hill against the Hornsey Rovers, on Blackheath Common, two days later the fourth, and last, against Gravesend, at Gravesend, on Saturday week. In all probability their team will be as underBoldero, Budden, Carvallo, Figuls, Coates, Rang, Gibert, Dollfus, Symonds, De Neuville, C. Ceuvremont, P. Ceuvremont, John- son, Brady, West, A. Kemplen, E. J. Kemplea (captain). I

THE FALSELY-STYLED REIGN OF TERROR AT CARDIFF. At Cardiff police-court to-day-before Mr R. O. Jones and Alderman Jones-Ellen York, a young woman 27 years of age, who had been five times previously convicted for being a woman of bad character, was charged with being drunk and disorderly. P.C. Phillips said that the defendant was very abusive, rolling against persons who were passing in the street, and abusing them. He cautioned her asked her to leave, but she refused, and after some time he took her into custody. She was finad 5s and costs. Alice Edmonds (20) Amelia Stephens (19), May Thompson (19), and Margaret Evans (20), Y rather fashionably dressed girls, were charged with being prosti- tutes, and wilfully causing an obstruction in St. Mary-street on Wednesday night. P.C. Phillips said that he was on duty in St. Mary-street about 20 minutes to nine o'clock. He saw the four defendants stopping respectable men and causing them to turn off the foot-pavements. He had spoken to them on a previous occasion when he saw them stopping gentlemen, and cautioned them. They then separated, but met again So little below Caroline- street. In reply to Mr Jones the constable said that they acted in concert. On seeing gentlemen approach they would spread themselves across the foot-pavement and stopping there, caused them to turn off into the roadway. He saw them stop eisrht gentlemen passing down the street. It was only after cautioning them that he apprehended them. Mr Jones asked the constable if he saw the defendants stop eight separate men, and the constable said "Yes." The defendant Edmonds asked the constable if he saw her stop any man, and the constable replied, Yes, several. She made a statement that when she was spoken to by the constable they all separated. The constable said that that was on the first occasion. Thompson one of the defendants said, You never cautioned us before." She, however, said that she was very sorry for what she had done. Evans was similarly contrite.—The Head Constable said that EdmonciN was a very bad ^character,r and had given them a good deal of trouble. She had been seven- teen times convicted. She had also been sent home, her railway fare being paid, but it was no use, she returned back and commenced her old life. She was constantly causing them a good deal of trouble in St. Mary- street. Stephens had been twicfe before them. Once convicted and once cautioned. The jther<? had not been previously charged. Edmonds was fined 20s and costs Stephens 10s and costs. The others were discharged with a caution.— Laura Griffiths (20) and Fanny Heatlierington, two women of bad character, were also charged with being disorderly prostitutes and causing sn obstruction by fighting in St Mary-street on the 31st ult. P.C. Mansfield saw the defendants fighting in the street. A large crowd of people had assembled, and the street was ob- structed. Mr Price appeared for Heatherington, and witnesses were called to prove that the fight was commenced by Griffiths, who came up to Heatherington, and, without any provocation, struck her a violent blow in the face. She then returned the blow, and a fight commenced. Grif- fiths was fined 20s and costs and Heatherington 5s and costs.

THE VIOLENT ASSAULT ON A WOMAN AT CARDIFF. WOMAN AT CARDIFF. At the police-court to-day Jenkin James, a young man, was charged on a remand with vio- lently assaulting a young woman named Elizabeth Price. The case was before the magistrates on Wednesday, and was remanded to enable Mr Belcher, who appeared for the prisoner, to call witnesses to prove an alibi. The complainant was a young woman who was formerly an acquaintance of the defendant. She distinctly swore that the defendant followed her up Park-place on Boxing Night and no one else was near when she was knocked down.—Mr Belcher said that he had investigated the statements of the witnesses he proposed to call since the case was adjourned, and found that they were entirely at variance with the prisoner's statement, and especially as to time, which was an important element in the ease. All he had was the prisoner's statement, who denied that he was the person who assaulted the complainant. — Mr Jones commented on the assault as a very violent and aggravated one, without provocation. Defendant would be sent to prison for six months with hard labour. Defendant, on being con- ducted to the cells, made use of some threats towards the complainant, and said that he would I remember her.

CARDIFF. EXPERIENCED VETERINARY SMITH (Joseph Peare) shoes every class of mthie at the Cardiff Horse Exchange, near the Custom House. A trial solicited. ?,S2E FIRST CHRISTMAS SHOW.—The Model Clothing Company are now showing, at 13, Bute-street, e. GRAKD DISPLAY of CLOTHING, HOSIERY, HATS. &c. Christmas Cards of all the latest designs for Christinas. AT 79, ST. MARY'S-STREET, CARDIFF, for the next few days, good woollen or merino socks may be ha-.l at Is 2d per pair, three pairs for 3s. Sewingund knitting machines as usual. 211 LATE ADVERTISEMENT. MESSRS W. GILL and CO. will SELL by PUBLIC AUCTION, on SATURDAY, January 3, at 7.30 p.m., 50 German Birds, HARTZ MOUNTAIN ROLLER?, Night and Day Songster. No reserve. Cardiff and South Wales Auction Booms, 13, High, street, Cardig. 543

BURNT TO DEATH IN BED. At Irvine this morning, a young man named David Cochrane was found burnt to death in bed. The cause of the fire is unknown.

A MALE BEGGAR IN WOMEN'S CLOTHES. sen- A begging impostor named Armstron^^ fenced to a month's imprisonment be8 ancj j^a(j lay. He was dressed in women^ thg bafcy i baby in his arms. It tra»3pcreating sympathy, been hired for the purpose ——

-=- THF HEALTH MR. GLAD- THE HEALigT()NE We are enabled to state that Mr Gladstone has been somewhat indisposed for the last few days. Late yesterday evening Sir Andrew Clarke, his medical adviser, paid him a long visit, and again saw Mr Gladstone this morning, remaining with him some time in Downing-street.

THE OLDEST MINISTER IN THE WORLD. r SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] I The remains of the late Rev. Hughes Jones, who died at the ripe age of 92 years, were to-day interred in the ancient churchyard of Llanerchy- med, his native place. The rev. gentleman, who for upwards of 70 years had been minister of a Calvinistic Methodist Church, was described as the oldest living minister of the gospel. He was remarkably hale to within a short time of his death.

MR BRIGHT AND THE TORY CANDIDATE FOR GLASGOW. r, Mr Somervilel, the Conservative candidate for Glasgow, replying to Mr Bright's letter of Wed- nesday, reiterating his criticism of the former utterances concerning himself, siys he merely stated facts. He considered it right that as the corn-law agitation was conducted upon philan- thropic motives, that the fact that it affected Mr Bright should be known. He did not say Mr Bright did his best to ruin British farmers, but he maintained that the legislation in which Mr Bright took a prominent part had ruined the British farmer.

THE TRAGIC AFFAIR AT CHISWICK. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM.] At Richmond, Surrey, to-day, Emily Redstone Was charged with attempting to murder two little girls named Weir. the children of her mis- tress, and with attempted suicide. The only witness called was William Hednott, a waterman, who deposed that he was standing by Mr Maynard's boathouse at Chiswick when he heard the children's screams on the opposite side of the river. He afterwards heard a splash, and he ran for a boat. With the assistance of his mate "Barnham he rowed to the spot whence the sounds came. They turned the boat's head to the tow-path when they saw a black object in the water. Witness caught hold of it, and found it to be the prisoner, whom be pulled into the boat. About six vards lower down he saw something else in the water, which he ascertained to be a child, and he pulled it out also. Still further on he saw another child in the water, :nd this one he rescued also all three appeared to be dead. He called for assist- ance, and Mr Maynard and his two sons came. They got prisoner and the two children ashore, and sent for medical aid. After a long time they revived. The prisoner, who said she did not wish to ask witness any questions, was then remanded for a week.

I The Earthquakesin Spain GRANADA DESERTED. I Panic of the Inhabitants. Repetition of the Shocks. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] ALHAMA, Friday morning.—Another terrible night has been passed by the inhabitants of this place. The recurrence of shocks yesterday sent the whole of the unfortunate people to the open spaces outside the town, where they camped in terror- stricken crowds. Well it was they did so, for during the night the earth was again violently shaken, and such of the houses as had withstood the former shocks fell in. The town is now a complete ruin. I cannot learn whether there was any further loss of life, by last night's visitation; but it is generally be lieved that no one remained under the cracked dwellings. Had the people returned to their homes, the loss of life would last night have been again very great. The distress among the unfortunate victims is terrible, exposed as they are to the bitter winter blasts, many insufficiently clad, and nearly all having but slender rations to keep body and soul together. Local help is tutallv inadequate to meet the present emergency. I learn from Antiquera that the constant visita- tions have driven the inhabitants there almost frantic with terror. Before their fears have been lulled after one shock another has come upon them, and now the poor people are striving to fly from the neighbourhood. The railway station is besieged, and the trains are packed with those anxious to obtain security in safer districts. Many are unable to get away, and the scenes among these is described as heart- rending. I am assured that the Cortes will al- most immediately vote a large sum to help the sufferers in the terrible calamity which has be- fallen them.

A TOWN ATTACKED BY THE ASHANTEES. 40 Besiegers Killed. [KEUT'EII'S TELEGRAM.] CAPE COAST CASTLE, December 9, via Liver- pool.-On the 12th of November Prince Boarku and his son, with a strong party of Ashantees, attacked Mansu, a town of some importance lying north of Coomassie. They were defeated, with the loss of forty killed and many prisoner, among thellatter being Boarkieand his son QuasieKarsah. The King of Mansu is now awaiting the arrival of a commissioner from Governor Young to enquire into the cause of this attack of the Ashantees; and unless this is satisfactorily accomplished, there is little doubt that Boarkie and the other prisoners will be put to death. Boarkie; and the Ambassador, who was sent to the late Governor, Sir Samuel Rowe, by the late King Mensah. He bears a bad reputation. It is rumoured that a new king is to be placed on the throne of Ashantee early in the New Year. He is a son of the late Queen of Djuabin, was some years back a political prisoner at Christiansborg, where she ultimately died. Should the monarchy be changed, it is ex- pected that good results will follow the new king belonging to the direct royal line, and the Djua- bin peo-ole generally being good traders and far more peaceably inclined than the Ashantees. more peaceably inclined than the Ashantees.

THE EGYPTIAN CAISSE TRIAL. [CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] CAIRO, Friday.—Yesterday Nubar Pasha re- quested M. Borelli to undertake the defence of the ministers in the Caisse trial. M. Borelli stipulated for permission to plead that the ministers com- mitted a mistake under pressure from England. Nubar consulted Sir Evelyn Baring, who refused to permit the plea.

CATTLE PLAGUE IN IRELAND. [SPECIAL TELEGRAAF. I From the south of Ireland an outbreak of a very virulent disease among cattle is reported to-day. A large number of cattle have already succumbed to what is known as black water, a destructive and practically incurable malady, It was thought not to be infectious, but the rapidity with which it has spread has shaken the farmers belief. So far it has all the appearance of a pecu- liarly malignant infection, and the owners of cattle are adopting every precaution against the contagion. A sharp outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia has also just occurred at the Glavnevin Model Farm, Dublin, and up to yester- day as many as 14 head of cattle had died, while a number of others remain under treatment. One of the results will be the abandonment of the dairy farming session arranged to commence next week. The cattle infected have been isolated, and everything that veterinary skill could suggest has been carried out. Some farms adjoining have not escaped the outbreak. The number of deaths at the model farm will be considerably increased be- fore the distemper is effectually stamped out.

THE DYNAMITE SCARE AT DUDLEY. To-day Joseph Fennelly, schoolmaster of Thurles, county Tipperary, was charged with loitering about Castle-street on Wednesday night for a felonious purpose. The Chief Superintendent stated that the .prisoner answered the description of a man who was wanted by the Irish Constabu- lary for committing outrages, and was connected with an organisation for destroying life and pro- perty in England. Prisoner, who protested his innocence, and said he got his living as a hawker, was remanded until Monday.

-= BRUTAL MURDER OF A SAILOR AT LIVERPOOL. A Norwegian sailor named Jonsone met with his death under brutal circumstances at an early hour this morning, in a low part of Liverpool. He quarrelled with a man named Taggart, who butted him and knocked him down. Another man named Kavanagh came to Taggart's aid, and, taking off his belt, beat Jonsone about the head with the buckle till he became .insensible, and when taken to the hospital he was dead. The two men and another named McNamara were arrested.

ALARMING MACHINERY ACCIDENT. A most alarming machinery accident occurred at Bradford this morning, when a large engine fly-wheel in Riley's Mill, weighing from twenty to thirty tons, flew to pieces. Whilst in revolution, one piece weighing several hundredweights ascended through the engine- house and carried away the gable end of the mill. The engine-house itself was demolished, but fortunately there was no loss of life. Many work- people will be thrown out of employment.